Nairobi: Nandi County Government has embarked on an ambitious programme to rehabilitate community cattle dips, a move expected to revitalise livestock development and ease the burden of disease control for thousands of farmers across the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Benard Lagat, said the rehabilitation programme is a strategic investment in the backbone of Nandi's rural economy. He explained that once the dips are fully operational, farmers will have affordable and reliable access to disease control measures, reducing the heavy costs incurred in treating livestock.
Dr Lagat stated that the initiative is designed to restore more than 20 communal dips that had fallen into disuse due to years of neglect, dilapidated infrastructure, and lack of maintenance. By revamping these facilities, the county aims to improve the fight against tick-borne diseases such as East Coast Fever, which have been a major threat to dairy and beef production.
'The revival of these dips will not only cushion farmers against recurring livestock diseases but will also raise the productivity of dairy cows and beef cattle, thereby boosting household incomes,' Dr Lagat emphasised.
He added that so far, cattle dips in Kilibwoni, Chepkunyuk, Kabiyet, Kapsabet, Chepkumia, and Tinderet wards have been rehabilitated and reopened for use. Several others including those in Sang'alo, Kapchorua, and Kobujoi, are at advanced stages of repair, with completion expected before the year ends.
Tindiret Sub County Livestock Officer (SCLO) Daniel Kiprotich said the project has already made a visible impact. He noted that with the restoration of dips in Tindiret ward and Kapchorua, more than 4,000 head of cattle have been treated in the past two months alone. He stressed that such interventions have reduced cases of tick-borne diseases, allowing farmers to focus on improving milk yields and expanding their herds.
Farmers say that the proximity and affordability of community dips will save them money and time previously spent on private spraying services. They also expressed hope that improved animal health will translate to better earnings from milk, beef, and hides.
Beyond economic benefits, the dips are also expected to improve environmental management by reducing the indiscriminate use of acaricides, which often harm soil and water sources when applied improperly on farms.
With livestock keeping being a cornerstone of livelihoods in Nandi, the rehabilitation initiative marks a major step toward securing the county's agricultural future. If fully sustained, the programme promises to transform both the productivity of the livestock sector and the welfare of households who depend on it.